Kansas star Darryn Peterson indicated he expects to keep playing through physical issues that slowed him earlier this season, telling reporters after the Jayhawks’ round-one NCAA Tournament win that he is “feeling healthy now” ahead of Sunday’s matchup against St. John’s. His comments were captured by JayhawkSlant.
That is the clearest Darryn Peterson injury update Kansas fans could have hoped for after he scored 28 points in a 68-60 win over Cal Baptist. Kansas and St. John’s are scheduled to meet Sunday, March 22, at 5:15 p.m. ET in San Diego. Peterson has not appeared on any of the NCAA Tournament injury reports either.
Peterson’s postgame comments mattered because he also acknowledged he has been dealing with a “body situation” that affected both his play and his mindset.
“I’m glad I’m feeling healthy now,” Peterson said in the locker room interview. “It’s hard when I was going through my body situation, but now I can play hard and have more fun out there.”
That makes the timing important for Kansas. The Jayhawks have a short turnaround before facing a St. John’s team that entered the Round of 32 at 29-6, while Kansas advanced at 24-10.
Is Darryn Peterson Playing Tonight?
Based on Peterson’s own comments, there was no indication after Friday’s win that he planned to sit out against St. John’s.
In fact, Peterson sounded relieved more than limited. He said the issue had been “definitely hard on me and my mental,” adding that uncertainty about “how long I can play” made it tougher to manage. But his main takeaway after the game was positive: he feels healthier now than he did while working through it.
There was one notable in-game moment, though. Peterson was asked why he “dumped that one layup,” and he answered, “My knee kind of buckled. I had like a flat tire.” That is worth monitoring heading into Sunday, especially with a quick turnaround and Kansas leaning heavily on his shot creation. Still, nothing in the locker-room exchange suggested an impending absence.
Darryn Peterson Stats
Peterson backed up that encouraging injury update with a massive performance. He scored 28 points against Cal Baptist, made four 3-pointers, and helped Kansas survive a late push to advance. KU Athletics said the freshman’s 28 points were the most by a Kansas freshman in an NCAA Tournament debut, and the game marked his 11th 20-point outing of the season.
Afterward, Peterson downplayed the milestone a bit.
“It’s a big deal,” he said, before adding, “I’m happy, but just part of the game.”
On the season, Peterson is averaging 20.5 points on 44 percent shooting from the field and 38% from deep. He also adds in 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals per night. He’s only appeared in 22 of Kansas’ 34 games.
Why Peterson’s Update Matters for Kansas vs. St. John’s
Sunday is a major opportunity for Kansas. Peterson said teammates told him they “haven’t made it to the second weekend,” and he added that he wants to help them get there. Kansas will need that mindset against a St. John’s team that advanced to face the Jayhawks in one of the more high-profile Round of 32 matchups.
The practical basketball angle is simple: Peterson’s health impacts everything from Kansas’ offensive ceiling to its shot distribution. If he is moving well, Kansas can trust him to create against pressure, space the floor, and carry a heavy usage load. If he is limited, the burden shifts more heavily onto the rest of the backcourt and wings.
What happens next?
Kansas faces St. John’s on Sunday with a Sweet 16 berth on the line, and Peterson’s mobility will be one of the first things to watch. Follow-up angles: Bill Self’s latest on Peterson’s health, how Kansas adjusts if Peterson is limited, Peterson vs. St. John’s top defenders, and full reaction after Sunday’s game.
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